A novel compact multi line phase shifter for precise array antenna beam control

In a wireless communication system, the size of an array antenna is not only dictated by the number of radiating elements and their element spacing as a function of the operating frequency range, but also largely depends on the number and the size of phase shifter(s) to achieve a desired antenna pattern shape. A conventional phase shifter requires a size of space that is larger than that of a space occupied by the transmission line. Therefore, the process of multiple input signals simultaneously using the conventional method has been considered almost impossible and requires significant space to achieve the desired amount of phase shift. In this paper, a compact multi line phase shifter, (MLPS) for simultaneously shifting phases of N positive integer number of input signals is presented. We propose a new structure of variable dielectric phase shifter that can be used in a wide range of applications including phased array antenna and phased array radar systems up to L-band and Ku-band.